Electromechanical transducer for selecting printing elements

ABSTRACT

An electromechanical transducer for use as a printout device in an accounting machine. The transducer includes a plurality of electromagnet devices, each of which comprises an armature. The devices are selectively energizable to hold the armatures in a first position. A control member is shiftable cyclically in a first direction for moving the armatures into their first positions at the instant when the devices are selectively energized by a preset code store. Thereafter, the member is moveable in a second direction to signal the conditions of the devices (energized or deenergized as determined by the positions of the armatures) and thereby set a number of corresponding code bars which determine the character to be printed.

[ Feb. 8, 1972 United States Patent Cortona et al.

1,399,993 12/1921 Pfannenstiehl and Watsonmm. 1,401,950 1/1922 1,426,768 8/1922 Pfannenstiehl and [54] ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCER FOR SELECTING PRINTING ELEMENTS [72] Inventors: Alessandro Cortona, Banchette (Turin);

Bancroft Giuseppe Calano, Mercenasco (Turin), Primary Examiner-Kathleen H. Clatfy both of Italy Assistant Examiner.lan S. Black Attorney-Birch, Swindler, McKie & Beckett 1 Assisnee= ngs-rq-u ii stt 221 Filed: Nov. 6, 1968 [57] ABSTRACT An electromechanical transducer for use as a printout device in an accounting machine. The transducer includes a plurality of electromagnet devices, each of which comprises an armature. The devices are selectively energizable to hold the armatures in a first position. A control member is shiftable cyclically in a first direction for moving the armatures into their first positions at the instant when the devices are selectively energized by a preset code store. Thereafter, the member is moveable in a second direction to signal the conditions of the devices (energized or deenergized as determined by the positions of the matures) and thereby set a number of corresponding code bars which determine the character to be printed.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1930 Morton et 18 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures swift 1 or 3 INVENTOR. ALESSANDRO CORTONA GIUSEPPE CALANO SHEET. 2 BF 3 INVENTOR. ALESSANDRO CORTONA GIUSEPPE CALANO INVENTOR. ALESSANDRO CORTONA GIL'SEPPE CALA N 0 ELECTROMECIIANICAL TRANSDUCER FOR SELECTING PRINTING ELEMENTS CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION Applicant claims priority from corresponding Italian Pat. application Ser. No. 5363 3-A/67, filed Nov. 8, 1967.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electromechanical transducer apparatus comprising a selectively energizable electromagnet device and a member adapted to be shifted cyclically in a first direction to bring the armature element of the device up to the stationary element of the device positively when the electromagnet device is energized.

Description of the Prior Art Various transducer apparatuses of the aforesaid type are known. In general each includes a first shiftable memberwhich carries an armature element into contact with a stationary electromagnet and a second shiftable member which thereafter positions a control element selectively. These devices are therefore complicated and costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These disadvantages and other disadvantages are obviated by the transducer apparatus according to the instant invention, wherein the member which shifts the armature is moreover adapted to be shifted cyclically in a second direction to signal the condition of the electromagnet device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A coded signal transducer apparatus comprising a plurality of electromechanical transducers which embody the concepts and principles of the invention is incorporated in an accounting machine comprising a printout device driven by an electronic assembly 11 (FIG. 3) known per se, which controls via a wire 15 an electromagnet device 12 controlling a printing operation. The accounting machine moreover comprises an electronic assembly 13 adapted to supply, in parallel, signals which have been stored and coded in.accordance with an eight-bit binary code, for example, and representing characters to be printed. The signals from assembly 13 are transmitted via wires 14 to a series of electromagnet devices 16 fixed to the frame of the machine.

Electromagnet device 12 (FIG. 1) comprises a relatively stationary coil element 200 and an armature element 17 pivoting on a fixed spindle 18 for movement toward and away from coil element 200. Armature element 17 has a slot 19 engaged by a pin 21 fixed to a slider 22. Slider 22 is provided with a slot 24 in which is engaged a cyclically shiftable position control member constituted by a shaft 26. Slider 22 is drawn toward shaft 26 by a spring 23. Shaft 26 is fixed to two arms 27 and 28 which are moreover connected by a shaft 29. Arm 28 forms part of a connecting rod 31 embracing an eccentric 32 fixed on a main timing shaft 33 adapted to be rotated clockwise cyclically in the frame of the machine. Eccentric 32 is also embraced by a connecting rod 34 which is connected by means of a pin 36 to a crank lever 37 fulcrumed on a fixed rod 38. Lever 37 is moreover connected to connecting rod 31 by means of a crank lever 39 adapted to turn on shaft 29 and on a pin 40 fixed to lever 37. Levers 37 and 39 are arranged to compound the movements of connecting rods 31 and 34. In the inoperative state, eccentric 32 is in the angular position identified by the dot 32a in FIG. 4, as a result of which the kinematic chain assumes the position indicated in solid lines.

On pin 21, there moreover pivots a slider 41 connected by a pin and slot to a lever 42 pivoting on a fixed rod 43. Lever 42 is connected to slider 41 by a spring 44 and is provided with an extension 46 against which there normally bears, through the action of a spring 47, a lug 48 of a bail 49 turning on a rod 51. Bail 49 has an arm 52 normally engaging a release tooth 53 of a one-cycle clutch 54 which, when it is engaged, is adapted to cause shaft 33 to rotate clockwise for one revolution in a manner known per se. Bail 49 moreover has an arm 56 adapted to cooperate with a cam 57 fixed on shaft 33.

Each electromagnet device 16 comprises a relatively stationary coil element 202 and an armature element 61 (FIG. 2) pivoting on spindle 18 for movement toward and away from its corresponding coil element 202. Each armature element 61 is pivotally connected by a pin and slot to a slider 62. Each slider 62 has a slot 64 and a cyclically shiftable position control member constituted by a shaft 66 extends through slots 64. Thus, sliders 62 are slidable on shaft 66. Each slider 62 is drawn toward shaft 66 by a corresponding spring 63. Shaft 66 is fixed in turn to two arms 67 and 68 interconnected by a second shaft 69. Arm 68 forms part of a connecting rod 71 embracing an eccentric 72 which is fixed on shaft 33 and, when inoperative, is located in the angular position identified by the dot 72a in FIG. 5, in a position offset angularly clockwise by with respect to eccentric 32. When shaft 66 is inoperative, it is at point 66a (FIG. 5) and, through slider 62, holds armature elements 61 moved up to the respective coil elements 202 of the electromagnet devices 16. When the kinematic chain is inoperative, it assumes the position indicated in solid lines in FIG. 5. Eccentric 72 is moreover embraced by a second connecting rod 73 which is connected to a pin 74 on a crank lever 76 fulcrumed on fixed rod 38. Lever 76 is equipped with a second pin 77 connected to shaft 69 through a crank lever 78. Levers 76 and 78 are arranged to compound the movements of connecting rods 71 and 73. I

Each electromagnet device 16 is associated with a pair of bars 81 and 82 pivoted on respective arms 83 and 84 of a rocking lever 86 rotatable on a fixed spindle 87. Each of the bars 81 and 82 is provided with a fork, 88 and 89 respectively, engaging a fixed rod 91. Each slider 62 is provided with a lug portion 92 normally disposed below an extension 93 of the corresponding bar 81. Each bar 82 in turn is provided with an extension 94 which is disposed in horizontally spaced relationship with respect to extension 93. Each rocking lever 86 is equipped with a third arm 96 engaged in a notch 97 in a slidable linkage 98 guided by means of a slot 99 on a fixed rod I01 and by means of an extension 102 in a fixed comb I03 of the machine. Each linkage 98 is provided with a second notch I06 in which is engaged one blade of a corresponding code bar 107 pivoting in the frame of the machine by means of two central pins disposed at the two ends of each bar 107 and not visible in the drawings, so as to adopt selectively one or the other of two different angular positions. Code bars 107 are adapted to control a decoder of a printing device, for example of the type described in US. Pat. No. 3,404,765. In the inoperative state, rocking levers 86 are all turned anticlockwise and bars 82 are therefore raised. Consequently, linkages 98 are all shifted toward comb 103 and code bars 107 are all turned clockwise. There are two recesses 108 in each slider 98 with which there cooperates a positioning member or latching bar formed by the crosspiece of a bail 109 turning on a fixed spindle 111. Bail 109 is moreover provided with an arm 112 connected by a pin and a slot to a lever 113 rotatable on a fixed spindle 114. The lever 113 is provided with a pin 116 normally bearing through the action of a spring 117 against a cam 118 on main shaft 33.

The transducer apparatus moreover comprises a striking electromagnet device 121 (FIG. 1) fixed to the frame of the machine and adapted to command the striking of the character or type selected. Electromagnet device 121 is connected by means of a wire 122 (FIG. 3) to electronic assembly 1 1 and comprises a relatively stationary coil element 204 and an armature element 123 swingable on spindle 18 for movement toward and away from coil element 204. Armature element 123 is pivotally connected by a pin and slot to a slider 124. Slider 124 has a slot 127 slidably engaged by shaft 26 and is drawn toward shaft 26 by spring 126. Slider 124 is provided with a lug portion 128 adapted to cooperate with a pair of extensions 129 and 131 of corresponding bars 132 and 133. Bars 132 and 133 are pivoted on corresponding arms 134 and 136, respectively, of a rocking lever 135 rotatable on spindle 87 and each are provided with a respective fork, 137 and 138 engaging rod 91. Extension 131 is normally disposed above lug portion 128, while extension 129 is disposed in horizontally spaced relationship with respect to extension 131. Rocking lever 135 is provided with a third arm 141 engaged in a notch 142 in a slidable linkage 143 guided by means of a slot 144 on rod 101 and by means of an extension 146 in comb 103. Linkage 143 is provided with a second notch 147 in which is engaged one blade of a universal bar 148 similar to code bars 107 and adapted to be turned anticlockwise to command the striking of the character type selected. Two recesses 149 are moreover formed in linkage 143 and with recesses 149 there cooperates a spring-loaded positioning member 151.

Finally, on main shaft 33 there is fixed a cam 152 against which there normally bears through the action of a spring 153 a lever 154 turning on rod 51. Lever 154 is equipped with an armature 156 of insulating material adapted to operate a microswitch 157. Microswitch 157 is connected to electronic assembly 11 (FIG. 3) by means of a wire 158 and to electronic assembly 13 by means of a wire 159. Microswitch 157 is adapted to assume two different positions; in one of these positions, shown in dashes in FIG. 3, contact is closed on wire 158 and, in the other position, shown by a chain-dotted line in FIG. 3, contact is closed on wire 159.

The control apparatus operates in the following manner:

Electronic assembly 1 I normally keeps start electromagnet device 12 energized, as a result of which armature element 17 (FIG. 1) is normally in contact with coil element 200. Thus, elements 17 and 200 are in an energized condition. At the beginning of a series of printing operations, electronic assembly 11 issues a start signal which deenergizes electromagnetic device 12. Armature element 17 is disengaged from element 200 under the action of spring 23 and turns anticlockwise about spindle 18 and element 17 and 200 thus assume a deenergized condition. Slider 41 is pushed forward by means of pin 21 and causes lever 42 to rotate anticlockwise and release lug 48 from extension 46. Bail 49 is now turned clockwise by spring 47, disengaging arm 52 from release tooth 53 of clutch 54, and bears against cam 57 by means of arm 56. Clutch 54 is engaged and sets main shaft 33 in cyclic rotation in a clockwise direction.

At the beginning of the cycle, eccentric 32 is brought from position 32a to position 32b and causes connecting rods 31 and 34 to be moved downward. Pin 36 is then shifted from position 360 (FIG. 4) to position 36b, causing lever 37 to rotate clockwise. Pin 40 of lever 37 is therefore brought from position40a to position 40b, as a result of which lever 39 brings shaft 29 from position 29a to position 29b and causes shaft 26 to move toward coil element 200 from position 26a to position 26b. This movement of shaft 26 brings armature element 17 again into contact with coil element 200 by means of slider 22. The start signal has now been terminated, and thus, electromagnet device 12 is returned to its normal energized state with elements 17 and 200 in their energized condition. Armature element 17 is now held back together with slider 41, therefore keeping spring 44 tensioned. The kinematic chain now adopts the position indicated in dash lines in FIG. 4.

Cam 57 thereafter causes bail 49 to rotate anticlockwise, bringing projection 52 into the path of release tooth S3 of clutch 54. Lug 48 in turn is raised and releases lever 42 which, under the action of spring 44, can rotate and bring extension 46 back beneath lug 48 and thus hold bail 49 locked in the position of FIG. 1.

Eccentric 32 (FIG. 1), continuing its rotation, is brought into position 32c (FIG. 4) and causes connecting rods 31 and 34 to move upward and bring pin 36 into position 36c. Lever 37 therefore rotates anticlockwise, bringing pin 40 into position 400. Connecting rod 31 thus brings shaft 29 into position 290 and shaft 26 into position 260. Slider 22 is held back up armature element 17, the electromagnet device 12 being energized. Spring 23 is therefore under tension.

Eccentric 32 (FIG. 1) is then brought into position 32d (FIG. 4) and causes connecting rod 34 to move downward and connecting rod 31 to move upward. Pin 36 is brought into position 36d, thus causing lever 37 to rotate clockwise and bringing pin 40 into position 40d. Connecting rod 31 thus brings shaft 29 into position 29d and shaft 26 into position 26d of maximum height. The kinematic chain thus adopts the position indicated in chain-dotted lines in FIG. 4.

Continuing its rotation, eccentric 32 (FIG. 1) returns to position 32a (FIG. 4) and shifts connecting rods 31 and 34 downward, bringing pin 36 into position 36a. Lever 37 rotates clockwise and brings pin 40 into position 400. Lever 39 brings shaft 29 back to position 29a and, therefore, shaft 26 back to position 26a, thus closing the path. Hence, eccentric 32, connecting rods 31 and 34 and levers 37 and 39 constitute crank means for shifting shaft 26 along a closed path.

It is therefore clear that shaft 26 shifts cyclically in a first direction from 26a to 26b to bring armature element 17 up to coil element 200 of electromagnet device 12 positively at the instant when electromagnet device 12 is energized, and in a second direction from 26c to 26d.

At the beginning of the cycle, eccentric 72 (FIG. 2) is in position 72a (FIG. 5), being offset angularly clockwise by with respect to eccentric 32. As the rotation commences, eccentric 72 is brought into position 72b, corresponding to position 320 of eccentric 32, and carries connecting rods 71 and 73 upward. Pin 74 passes from position 74a to position 74b, as a result of which lever 76 rotates anticlockwise and brings pin 77 from position 77a to position 77b. Lever 78 brings shaft 69 from position 69a to position 69b, and shaft 66 therefore passes from position 660 to position 66b. Sliders 62, under the action of their respective springs 63, follow the forward movement of shaft 66, moving armature elements 61 away from coil elements 202 and bringing lug portions 92 below corresponding extensions 94 of bars 82.

Continuing its rotation, eccentric 72 is brought into position 72c (FIG. 5) and causes connecting rod 71 to move upward and connecting rod 73 to move downward. Pin 74 is brought into position 74c, causing lever 76 to rotate clockwise and therefore bringing pin 77 into position 770. Under the action of lever 78, shaft 69 is brought into position 690 and shaft 66 is brought into position 66c of maximum height corresponding to position 26d of shaft 26. The kinematic chain thus adopts the position indicated in chain-dotted lines in FIG. 5. Lug portions 92 of sliders 62 are brought upward, but do not encounter extensions 94 of corresponding bars 82, since the latter are already raised in the inoperative state.

Cam 152 (FIG. I) thereafter causes lever 154 to rotate anticlockwise and lever 154 acts, by means of armature 156 on microswitch 157, bringing it from the central position of FIGS. 1 and 3 to the position shown in FIG. 3 by the chain-dotted line, so as to close contact to wire 159. A pulse is thus delivered to electronic assembly 13 and commands the transmission of a group of signals to electromagnet devices 16 via wires 14. Electromagnet devices 16 are thus selectively energized.

In the meantime, eccentric 72 (FIG. 2) is brought into position 72d (FIG. 5) and shifts connecting rods 71 and 73 downward. Pin 74 is brought into position 74d, causing lever 76 to rotate clockwise. Pin 77 is brought into position 77d and, by means of lever 78, shifts shaft 69 into position 69d and shaft 66. into position 66d. Shaft 66 carries sliders 62 toward coil elements 202, thus bringing the corresponding armature elements 61 into contact with corresponding coil elements 202. Thus, it is clear that shaft 66 is cyclically shiftable in a first direction for moving armature elements 61 up to coil elements 202 positively when electromagnet devices 16 are selectively energized. The kinematic chain therefore adopts the configuration indicated in dash lines in FIG. 5.

Continuing its rotation, eccentric 72 (FIG. 2) is brought back into its initial position 72a (FIG. 5), raising connecting rods 71 and 73. Pin 74 is brought back into position 740 and causes lever 76 to rotate anticlockwise. Pin 77 is therefore brought into position 77a. Lever 78 brings shaft 69 back into position 690 and shaft 66 is brought back into position 66a, thus closing the path of FIG. 5. It can thus be seen that eccentric 72, connecting rods 71 and 73 and crank levers 76 and 78 constitute crank means for shifting shaft 66 along a closed path. The sliders 62 connected to the armature elements 61 associated with those electromagnet devices 16 which are not energized follow shaft 66, under the action of their springs 63, during the movement of shaft 66 from position 66a to position 66b, while the sliders 62 associated with those electromagnet devices 16 which are energized are held back by the corv responding arrnatures elements 61.

Meanwhile, cam 152 (FIG. 1) allows lever 154 to rotate clockwise. Armature 156 acts on microswitch 157, bringing it into the position indicated by the dash line in FIG. 3, so as to close contact to wire 158. A pulse is thus delivered to electronic assembly 11 and in response thereto start electromagnet device 12 is deenergized and striking electromagnet device 121 is energized. Electromagnet device 12 (FIG. 1) controls, in the manner already described, bail 49 controlling clutch 54, which is engaged. Electromagnet device 12 then returns to its normal energized state.

Eccentric 32 (FIG. 1) begins a fresh cycle, being brought from position 32a to position 32b, and causes shaft 26 to be shifted in the manner already described from position 26a (FIG. 4) to position 26b. Sliders 22 and 124 bring armature elements 17 and 123, respectively, into contact with the corresponding coil elements 200 and 204 of electromagnet devices 12 and 121, which are both energized.

Continuing its rotation, eccentric 32 (FIG. 1) is brought from position 32b (FIG. 4) to position 32c and causes shaft 26 to move from position 26b to position 26c. Slider 22, however, remains held by armature element 17, while ball 49 is restored by cam 57 in the manner already described. Slider 124 also remains held by armature element 123 of the electromagnet device 121, which is energized, as a result of which lug portion 128 of slider 124 remains positioned below extension 129 of bar 132. Thus, shaft 26 is also cyclically shiftable in its first direction to move armature element 123 up to coil element 204 positively when electromagnet device 121 is selectively energized.

Eccentric 72 (FIG. 2) also begins its second cycle, being brought from position 72a (FIG. 5) to position 72b and causing the shifting of shaft 66 from position 660 to position 66b. The sliders 62 associated with those electromagnet devices 16 which are not energized move with shaft 66 and are positioned with their lug portions 92 disposed below the extensions 94 of the corresponding bars 82, while the sliders 62 associated with those electromagnet devices 16 which are energized remain in position with their lug portions 92 disposed below the extensions 93 of the corresponding bars 81. That is to say, when a pair of elements 61 and 202 are in an energized condition, the lug portion 92 of the corresponding slider 62 will be disposed to engage the corresponding bar 82. Conversely, when a pair of elements 61 and 202 are in a deenergized condition, the lug portion 92 of the corresponding slider 62 will be disposed to engage corresponding bar 81. Cam 118 causes lever 113 to rotate anticlockwise about spindle 114. Bail 109 therefore turns clockwise and is disengaged from recesses 108 of sliders 98.

Continuing its rotation, eccentric 72 (FIG. 2) is brought from position 72b (FIG. 5) to position 720 and causes the upward movement of shaft 66 from position 66b to position 66:. Sliders 62 are thus brought upward and, by means of lug portions 92, push upward the bars 81 associated with the energized electromagnet devices 16. Hence, shaft 66 is shiftable in a second direction to signal the conditions (energized or deenergized) of the elements 61 and 202 of each device 16. The bars 82 associated with those electromagnet devices 16 which are not energized are already raised at this time. The bars 81 which are shifted in this manner cause clockwise rotation of the corresponding rocking levers 86, which move the associated linkages 98 toward comb 103. The linkages 98 associated with the electromagnet devices 16 which are not energized remain in position. The code bars 107 operably connected to the sliders 63 that are shifted are therefore rotated selectively anticlockwise, as a result of which, code bars 107 assume a configuration representing the code signals received by the electromagnet devices 16.

Cam 118 now permits lever 113 to rotate clockwise. Bail 109 is therefore turned anticlockwise and is reengaged in recesses 108, thus keeping linkage 98 and code bars 107 in position for selecting the character to be printed. It can thus be seen that each lever 86, along with the bars 81 and 82, the slidable linkage 98 and the code bar 107 associated therewith, presents an actuatable control which is actuatable by the shaft 66 to represent the condition of the elements 61 and 202 of the corresponding electromagnet device 16.

Cam 152 again causes anticlockwise rotation of lever 154, which acts on microswitch 157 and brings it into the position indicated by the chain-dotted line in FIG. 3 to close contact to wire 159, thus commanding the transmission of a fresh group of signals from electronic assembly 13 to electromagnet devices 16. This group of signals identified the character to be printed in the following cycle. I

Meanwhile, eccentric 32 moves from position 32c to position 32d, bringing shaft 26 upward from position 26c to position 26d. Slider 124 is thus brought upward and, by means of lug portion 128, pushes bar 132 upward, causing rocking lever 135 to rotate clockwise. Hence, shaft 26 is shiftable in its second direction to signal the condition (energized or deenergized) of the elements 123 and 204 of device 121. Linkage 143 is pushed toward comb 103 and causes universal bar 148 to rotate and bar 148 produces the striking action in known manner. In this way, printing of the first character selected is obtained. Manifestly, therefore, lever 135, bars 132 and 133, slidable linkage 143 and code bar 148 constitute an actuatable control which is actuatable by shaft 26 to represent the condition of the elements 123 and 204 of electromagnet device 121. Eccentric 32 (FIG. 1) is then brought from position 32d (FIG. 4) to its inoperative position 32a, thus terminating the second cycle. This causes the shifting of shaft 26 from position 26d to position 26a.

In the meantime, cam 152 (FIG. 1) permits lever 154 to rotate clockwise. Armature 156 acts in, the manner already described on microswitch 157, closing contact to wire 158 and sending a pulse to electronic assembly 11, in response to which the signals are transmitted to electromagnet devices 12 and 121.

Meanwhile, eccentric 72 (FIG. 2) continues its rotation and is brought from position 72c to position 72d. Shaft 66 is brought from position 66c to position 66d and brings armature elements 61 into contact with the corresponding coil elements 202. when eccentric 72 then passes from position 72d to position 72a, shaft 66 is brought from position 66d to its inoperative position 66a, thus completing the second cycle. During this movement, shaft 66 is followed by the sliders 62 associated with those electromagnet devices 16 which are not energized, while the sliders 62 corresponding to the energized electromagnet devices 16 are held against movement by their armature elements 61.

It is therefore clear that when shaft 66 is shifted in the direction from 66b to 660 it selectively operates the levers 86 which are adapted to represent the condition of the electromagnet devices 16.

When the series of characters to be printed is complete, on the making of contact with wire 159 electromagnet devices 16 are all deenergized. Thereafter, on making contact with wire 158, striking electromagnet device 121 is deenergized as is electromagnet device 12, as a result of which main shaft 33 performs another revolution. The fresh cycle of main shaft 33 causes eccentric 72 (FIG. 2) to perform a revolution and therefore causes shaft 66 to travel along the path of FIG. 5. Since all electromagnet devices 16 are deenergized, lug portions 92 of sliders 62 will all be positioned below the corresponding extensions 94 of bars 82 when shaft 66 is in position 6612. Thus, when shaft 66 is moved into position 66c, 1

sliders 62 are brought upward, whereby all those bars 82 which were not already in this position are moved upwardly. Rocking levers 86 are thus all positioned in their anticlockwise position and sliders 98 are positioned toward comb 102. Hence, all of the code bars 107 are rotated anticlockwise.

Shaft 33 also causes eccentric 32 to perform a revolution and eccentric 32 causes shaft 26 to travel along the path of FIG. 4. When shaft 26 is in position 26c, lug portion 128 of slider 124 is below extension 131 of bar 133. When shaft 26 passes to position 26d, bar 133 is brought upward and causes rocking lever 135 to rotate anticlockwise. Linkage 143 is thus moved toward comb 103 and causes universal bar 148 to rotate clockwise, thus producing the end of the striking operation.

When microswitch 157 is again closed to wire 158 so as to send a pulse to electronic assembly 11, this does not deenergize electromagnet device 12, so that bail 49 remains positioned with projection 52 in the path of release tooth 53 of clutch 54, which is disengaged, and the apparatus therefore stops.

We claim:

1. An electromechanical transducer comprising:

a relatively stationary first element;

a second element movable toward and away from the first element;

one of the elements comprising a selectively energizable electromagnet operable when energized to hold the first and second elements together whereby the elements have energized and deenergized relative positions;

means for selectively energizing the electromagnet;

a member drivingly connected with the second element and shiftable cyclically in first and second directions,

said member moving the second element up to the first element for positive engagement therewith when the electromagnet is energized during the cyclical shift in said first direction; and

actuable control means coupled with said member for selective actuation by the member when the latter is cyclically shifted in said second direction to represent the condition of the elements.

2. A transducer according to claim 1 including crank means drivingly connected with said member, said crank means including an eccentric for shifting said member in said first and second directions along a closed path.

3. A transducer according to claim 2, said crank means comprising a pair of connecting rods cooperating with the eccentric, one of said rods carrying said member.

4. A transducer according to claim 3, and two levers interconnecting the rods, said levers pivoted to each other and operable to compound the movements of the rods whereby to shift said member along said closed path.

5. A transducer according to claim 4, said member comprising a shaft, there being a slider pivotally mounted on the second element and slidably mounted on the shaft, said control means including a pair of control bars, said slider having a portion thereof disposed for selective engagement with said bars during movement of the member in said second direction.

6. A transducer according to claim 5, said control means also including a rocking lever coupled with the bars, said second element being operable to position the slider with said portion disposed for engaging one bar when the elements are in one condition and to position the slider with said portion disposed for engaging the other bar when the elements are in the other condition.

7. A transducer according to claim 6, wherein is included a printing decoder having a code bar and a slidable linkage interconnecting the rocking lever and the code bar, there being included a positioning member operable for holding the linkage in either of two positions.

8. A transducer according to claim 1 wherein said first element comprises said magnet means.

9. A coded signal transducer apparatus comprising:

a plurality of pairs of elements, each pair comprising a relatively stationary first element and a second element movable toward and away from the corresponding first element;

one of the elements of each pair thereof comprising a selectively energizable electromagnet operable when energized to hold the elements of the pair together, whereby the elements of each pair have energized and deenergized relative conditions;

means for selectively energizing the electromagnets;

control means coupled with the second elements and shiftable cyclically in first and second directions for moving each of the second elements up to its corresponding first element. positively when the electromagnets are selectively energized during the cyclical shift in said first direction; and

signal means coupled to said control means and responsive to said control means being shifted in a second direction to signal the condition of the elements of each of said pairs.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said signal means comprises a respective code bar coupled with and settable by one element of each pair of elements to represent the condition of the elements of the corresponding pair.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein is included a universal striking bar for striking a character determined by the settings of the code bars.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said means for selectively energizing the electromagnets includes a main timing shaft and a switch cyclically operated by the shaft.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein is included an additional electromagnet device energizable to control a cycle of the timing shaft and a further electromagnet device energizable to control the striking bar.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein is included an additional pair of said elements energizable to control a cycle of the timing shaft and a further pair of said elements energizable for controlling the operation of the striking bar, there being provided a separate control means coupled with the second element of the additional pair and with the second element of the further pair of elements, said separate control means being shiftable cyclically in a first direction for moving the second elements coupled therewith up to their corresponding first elements positively at the instant when the electromagnets are selectively energized.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said separate control means is operated in a cycle offset with respect to that of the first mentioned control means.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means for selectively energizing the electromagnets comprises a presettable store operable to direct energization of selected of the electromagnets in response to operation of the switch.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means for selectively energizing the electromagnets comprises a presettable store operable to direct energization of selected of the electromagnets in response to operation of the switch.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein is included an electronic circuit for controlling the operation of the additional pair of elements during the first cycle of the shaft, said switch being operable to control the operation of said additional pair of elements during subsequent cycles of the shaft. 

1. An electromechanical transducer comprising: a relatively stationary first element; a second element movable toward and away from the first element; one of the elements comprising a selectively energizable electromagnet operable when energized to hold the first and second elements together whereby the elements have energized and deenergized relative positions; means for selectively energizing the electromagnet; a member drivingly connected with the second element and shiftable cyclically in first and second directions, said member moving the second element up to the first element for positive engagement therewith when the electromagnet is energized during the cyclical shift in said first direction; and actuable control means coupled with said member for selective actuation by the member when the latter is cyclically shifted in said second direction to represent the condition of the elements.
 2. A transducer according to claim 1 including crank means drivingly connected with said member, said crank means including an eccentric for shifting said member in said first and second directions along a closed path.
 3. A transducer according to claim 2, said crank means comprising a pair of connecting rods cooperating with the eccentric, one of said rods carrying said member.
 4. A transducer according to claim 3, and two levers interconnecting the rods, said levers pivoted to each other and operable to compound the movements of the rods whereby to shift said member along said closed path.
 5. A transducer according to claim 4, said member comprising a shaft, there being a slider pivotally mounted on the second element and slidably mounted on the shaft, said control means including a pair of control bars, said slider having a portion thereof disposed for selective engagement with said bars during movement of the member in said second direction.
 6. A transducer according to claim 5, said control means also including a rocking lever coupled with the bars, said second element being operable to position the slider with said portion disposed for engaging one bar when the elements are in one condition and to position the slider with said portion disposed for engaging the other bar when the elements are in the other condition.
 7. A transducer according to claim 6, wherein is included a printing decoder having a code bar and a slidable linkage interconnecting the rocking lever and the code bar, there being included a positioning member operable for holding the linkage in either of two positions.
 8. A transducer according to claim 1 wherein said first element comprises said magnet means.
 9. A coded signal transducer apparatus comprising: a plurality of pairs of elements, each pair comprising a relatively stationary first element and a second element movable toward and away from the corresponding first element; ONE of the elements of each pair thereof comprising a selectively energizable electromagnet operable when energized to hold the elements of the pair together, whereby the elements of each pair have energized and deenergized relative conditions; means for selectively energizing the electromagnets; control means coupled with the second elements and shiftable cyclically in first and second directions for moving each of the second elements up to its corresponding first element positively when the electromagnets are selectively energized during the cyclical shift in said first direction; and signal means coupled to said control means and responsive to said control means being shifted in a second direction to signal the condition of the elements of each of said pairs.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said signal means comprises a respective code bar coupled with and settable by one element of each pair of elements to represent the condition of the elements of the corresponding pair.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein is included a universal striking bar for striking a character determined by the settings of the code bars.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said means for selectively energizing the electromagnets includes a main timing shaft and a switch cyclically operated by the shaft.
 13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein is included an additional electromagnet device energizable to control a cycle of the timing shaft and a further electromagnet device energizable to control the striking bar.
 14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein is included an additional pair of said elements energizable to control a cycle of the timing shaft and a further pair of said elements energizable for controlling the operation of the striking bar, there being provided a separate control means coupled with the second element of the additional pair and with the second element of the further pair of elements, said separate control means being shiftable cyclically in a first direction for moving the second elements coupled therewith up to their corresponding first elements positively at the instant when the electromagnets are selectively energized.
 15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said separate control means is operated in a cycle offset with respect to that of the first mentioned control means.
 16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means for selectively energizing the electromagnets comprises a presettable store operable to direct energization of selected of the electromagnets in response to operation of the switch.
 17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means for selectively energizing the electromagnets comprises a presettable store operable to direct energization of selected of the electromagnets in response to operation of the switch.
 18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein is included an electronic circuit for controlling the operation of the additional pair of elements during the first cycle of the shaft, said switch being operable to control the operation of said additional pair of elements during subsequent cycles of the shaft. 